Together, let’s Proclaim 500! Stories of Faith
Jesus said, “You will be my witness.” Acts 1:8. All of us have a story to tell that bears witness to Jesus’ powerful love. One of the best ways to proclaim Jesus is through our stories of how faith in Christ impacts our lives. This is also a key part of St. Andrew’s mission statement: Proclaim Jesus Christ, Live in Christ, Serve!” Recording and celebrating 500 stories of transformed lives will be the focus of Proclaim 500! Stories of Faith during the six weeks of Lent.
“The Bible is filled with stories of how people are brought to God through the words of others,” said Equipping Pastor John Keller. “We can be a witness to others by relating how our faith has brought us through periods of trouble, uncertainty or doubt. Faith can also be seen in times of joy and happiness. Either way, sharing our stories is a powerful way to strengthen our collective faith and help others.”
A faith stories committee has been meeting for over a year and interviewing and compiling the faith journeys of St. Andrew’s members.
Examples of faith stories to date include:
• Tara McAdams experiencing God’s love through joining the St. Andrew’s choir.
• Carol Torgerson casting her cares on Christ when her mother was diagnosed with cancer but lived to experience the joy of her son’s wedding.
• Dale Bakken seeing the transforming power of Jesus when he prayed for colleagues at his construction work site.
• Dianne Erickson seeing her son come to Christ after 20 years of drug and alcohol abuse.
• Pastor Mike Carlson feeling God’s comforting love through the hug of a two-year-old on a challenging morning started with an empty gas tank, endless emails and a full voice mail box.
Cathie Maeyaert wrote in her faith story, “Time and time again through the book of Mark, Jesus reveals Himself and His message to those around Him. The common theme throughout is that people just can’t keep quiet. They are compelled to proclaim Jesus’ power. The people who are touched by Jesus – both physically and spiritually – feel the need to spread His Word.”
The Jan. 23 and 24 weekend began the Proclaiming 500! Stories of Faith effort with announcements at all services. A Lenten devotional booklet is being prepared by 40 St. Andrew’s members who are writing brief faith stories. In addition, the bulletins in February and March will include a form to help St. Andrew’s members write their faith stories, and several sermons will focus on how sharing our faith with others can change lives.
The Proclaim 500! Stories of Faith task force is helping Pastor Keller to compile the 500 faith journeys. We invite you to share your story which may be published in the Proclaim, on the St. Andrew’s website or appear on videotape. All stories may eventually be recorded in a St. Andrew’s book.
You don’t need to be a writer to tell your story. Please send your story or thoughts for an article to the task force at faithstories@saintandrews.org and someone will follow-up with you. We also seek other St. Andrew’s members to join the committee. For further information, contact Pastor Keller at 651-762-9107.
